Patrick Mahomes Shares Heartfelt Message After NFL Employee Craig Clementi Is Shot While Protecting Colleagues in NYC Mass Shooting — Now Hospitalized with Serious Injuries

NEW YORK, NY — A mass shooting at a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper that houses the NFL’s headquarters left four people dead and several others injured Monday evening, including a league employee who continued to warn colleagues even after being shot.

NFL Staffer Heroically Warned Colleagues

Craig Clementi, a staffer in the NFL’s finance department, was struck in the back by a bullet during the chaos inside 345 Park Avenue. According to reports from The Athletic, Clementi was on the phone warning colleagues to evacuate and avoid the building as the shooting unfolded. He continued to issue warnings even as he was being transported to the hospital by ambulance. Clementi, who recently welcomed a new baby, remains hospitalized in stable condition.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed in a letter to employees that a male staffer was “seriously injured” and that the league was supporting his family at the hospital. “All of our employees are otherwise safe and accounted for,” Goodell wrote, adding that NFL staff were at the hospital with Clementi and his family.

Shane Devon Tamura during his high school football days.

The Shooting: What Happened

The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday when Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, entered the 44-story building at 345 Park Avenue, which also houses the offices of Blackstone and other businesses. Armed with a rifle, Tamura opened fire in the lobby, killing four people, including 36-year-old off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was praised for his heroism in confronting the gunman.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tamura killed Officer Islam before fatally shooting a woman and continuing to “spray the lobby with bullets.” Another man was shot and survived; while not officially confirmed, reports suggest this may have been Clementi.

After the initial attack, Tamura made his way to the 33rd floor—well above the NFL offices, which occupy floors five through eight—where he died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tamura outside of the building with a gun.

Shooter’s Motive and Background

Investigators found a note in Tamura’s pocket in which he lashed out at the NFL and claimed to suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. The note referenced former Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Long, who died by suicide and was later diagnosed with CTE. Tamura, who played high school football in California but did not play beyond that level, wrote:
“Terry Long, football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze… You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you. Please study brain for CTE. I’m sorry. The league knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits. They failed us.”

City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, indicated Tamura may have specifically targeted the NFL’s offices. “We have reason to believe that he was focused on the NFL agency that was located in the building,” Adams said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Police are continuing to investigate Tamura’s motive and whether he had any additional weapons; another weapon was found in his car parked outside.

Response and Aftermath

The NFL’s offices were ordered to shelter in place as the shooting unfolded. Commissioner Goodell praised law enforcement for their swift response and Officer Islam for his bravery:
“We are deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded to this threat quickly and decisively and to Officer Islam, who gave his life to protect others.”

Three of the shooting victims have not yet been publicly identified. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch both expressed visible distress during a late-night press conference, emphasizing the tragedy and the ongoing investigation.

Authorities noted that Tamura had a “documented mental health history.”
“His motives are still under investigation. We are working to understand why he targeted this particular location,” Tisch said.

Community Support

As the investigation continues, the NFL community and the city at large are rallying around the victims and their families. Clementi’s actions in warning his colleagues are being hailed as heroic, and the league has pledged to continue supporting those affected by the tragedy.